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Objectives: Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid and has, until recently, been considered an unwanted contaminant in the street drug supply among people who use drugs (PWUD). However, it has become a drug of choice for an increasing number of individuals. This systematic review evaluated intentional non-medical fentanyl use among PWUD, specifically by summarizing demographic variance, reasons for use, and resulting patterns of use. Methods: The search strategy was developed with a combination of free text keywords and MeSH and non-MeSH keywords, and adapted with database-specific filters to Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. Studies included were human studies with intentional use of non-medical fentanyl or analogues in individuals older than 13. Only peer-reviewed original articles available in English were included. Results: The search resulted in 4437 studies after de-duplication, of which 132 were selected for full-text review. Out of 41 papers included, it was found that individuals who use fentanyl intentionally were more likely to be young, male, and White. They were also more likely to have experienced overdoses, and report injection drug use. There is evidence that fentanyl seeking behaviours are motivated by greater potency, delay of withdrawal, lower cost, and greater availability. Conclusions: Among PWUD, individuals who intentionally use fentanyl have severe substance use patterns, precarious living situations, and extensive overdose history. In response to the increasing number of individuals who use fentanyl, alternative treatment approaches need to be developed for more effective management of withdrawal and opioid use disorder. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021272111.
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OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QoL) is an increasingly recognized patient-centered treatment outcome in individuals with opioid use disorder. There is a gap in literature on the impact of opium tincture (OT) on patients' QoL compared to standard treatment options such as methadone. This study aimed to compare the QoL of participants with opioid use disorder receiving OAT using OT or methadone and identify the factors associated with their QoL during treatment. METHODS: The opium trial was a multicenter non-inferiority randomized clinical trial in four private OAT outpatient clinics in Iran. The study assigned patients to either OT (10 mg/ml) or methadone sirup (5 mg/ml) for a follow-up of 85 days. QoL was assessed using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL- BREF). RESULTS: A total of 83 participants, 35 (42.2%) in the OT arm and 48 (57.8%) in the methadone arm, completed the WHOQOL-BREF in full and were included in the primary analysis. The mean score of patients' QoL showed improvement compared to baseline, but differences were not statistically significant between OT and methadone arms (p = 0.786). Improvements were mainly observed within the first 30 days of receiving treatment. Being married and lower psychological distress were associated with an improved QoL. Within the social relationships domain, male gender showed significantly higher QoL compared to females. CONCLUSION: OT shows promise as an OAT medication, comparable to methadone in improving patients' QoL. There is a need to incorporate psychosocial interventions to further sustain and improve the QoL in this population. Identifying other social determinants of health which affect QoL and the cultural adaptation of assessments for individuals from various ethnocultural backgrounds are critical areas of inquiry.
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Metadona, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides, Feminino, Humanos, Masculino, Metadona/uso terapêutico, Ópio/uso terapêutico, Qualidade de Vida/psicologia, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/psicologia, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/psicologiaRESUMO
AIM: To test if opium tincture (OT) was non-inferior to methadone in retaining participants in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). DESIGN: A Phase III, multi-centre, parallel-group, non-inferiority, double-blind randomized controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Participants were provided treatment and followed for a period of 85 days. SETTING: Four OAT clinics in Iran. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and four participants with opioid use disorder [mean age (standard deviation) = 37.4 (9.3); female 11.3%] recruited between July 2017 and January 2018. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were assigned to either OT (102) or methadone (102) using a patient-centred flexible dosing strategy. MEASUREMENTS: Treatment retention over 85 days was the primary outcome. Self-reported opioid use outside treatment and occurrence of adverse events (AEs) were the secondary outcomes. FINDINGS: Remaining in treatment at the end of the follow-up were 68.6% in the methadone arm and 59.8% in the OT arm. The relative retention rate of methadone to OT was 1.15 (0.97, 1.36) in both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses; non-inferiority was not supported statistically, as the upper bound of the confidence interval exceeded our pre-specified non-inferiority margin (1.25). Opioid use outside treatment was reported by 30.3% of OT (n = 152) and 49.4% of methadone (n = 168) patients, a difference in proportions of -19%: 90% confidence interval (-28%, -10%). The total count of AEs in the OT arm (22 among nine individuals) was significantly higher (P = 0.04) than that in the methadone arm (three among two individuals). Nausea was the most common side effect. CONCLUSION: While this study could not conclude the non-inferiority of opium tincture (OT) to methadone for retaining patients in opioid agonist treatment, OT retained 60% of participants to end of follow-up (85 days) and was superior to methadone in reducing self-reported opioid use outside treatment.
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Metadona, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides, Humanos, Feminino, Metadona/uso terapêutico, Ópio/uso terapêutico, Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/reabilitação, Método Duplo-Cego, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/métodosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In the Middle East and Asia, illicit opioid use exists across a spectrum between heroin and opium. The impact of primary opioid of choice on opioid agonist treatment retention has not been well evaluated previously, especially for opium tincture, an increasingly popular form of opioid agonist treatment in Iran. This study investigates the relationship between primary opioid of choice, namely heroin or opium, and retention in opium tincture and methadone treatment. METHODS: Participants with opioid use disorder (n = 204) were randomised to receive opium tincture or methadone. All participants were categorised as mainly using opium or heroin. Bivariate analyses between treatment retention and primary opioid of choice (P < 0.05) and logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 191 participants included in this analysis, heroin was the primary substance of choice for 135 participants (70.7%) and opium for 56 (29.3%). Bivariate analysis showed that the opium group was more likely to be satisfied with family situation, employed and retained in treatment than the heroin group while less likely to experience incarceration and use multiple substances. When adjusting for covariates, primary opioid of choice was not significantly associated with retention in either methadone or opium tincture treatment arm. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Positive factors, such as employment, housing and family support, seem to collectively explain the higher retention in treatment among those who primarily use opium compared to those who use heroin. To optimise retention in opioid agonist treatment, biopsychosocial care models should be further evaluated to improve psychosocial functioning.
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Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides, Ópio, Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico, Heroína/uso terapêutico, Humanos, Irã (Geográfico)/epidemiologia, Metadona/uso terapêutico, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Ópio/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a current first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The standard induction method of buprenorphine/naloxone requires patients to be abstinent from opioids and therefore experience withdrawal symptoms prior to induction, which can be a barrier in starting treatment. Rapid micro-induction (micro-dosing) involves the administration of small, frequent does of buprenorphine/naloxone and removes the need for a period of withdrawal prior to the start of treatment. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of rapid micro-induction versus standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone in patients with OUD. METHODS: This is a randomized, open-label, two-arm, superiority, controlled trial comparing the safety and effectiveness of rapid micro-induction versus standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for the treatment of OUD. A total of 50 participants with OUD will be randomized at one Canadian hospital. The primary outcome is the completion of buprenorphine/naloxone induction with low levels of withdrawal. Secondary outcomes are treatment retention, illicit drug use, self-reported drug use behaviour, craving, pain, physical health, safety, and client satisfaction. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of rapid micro-induction versus standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone. This study will thereby generate evidence for a novel induction method which eliminates substantial barriers to the use of buprenorphine/naloxone in the midst of the ongoing opioid crisis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04234191; date of registration: January 21, 2020; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04234191.
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Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/administração & dosagem, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/métodos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/prevenção & controle, Adulto, Colúmbia Britânica/epidemiologia, Feminino, Humanos, Hidromorfona/administração & dosagem, Masculino, Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como Assunto, Projetos de PesquisaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence regarding eHealth interventions that target substance use disorders. Development and funding decisions in this area have been challenging, due to a lack of understanding of what parts of an intervention work in which context. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a realist review of the literature on electronic cognitive behavioral therapy (eCBT) programs for substance use with the goal of answering the following realist question: "How do different eCBT interventions for substance use interact with different contexts to produce certain outcomes?" METHODS: A literature search of published and gray literature on eHealth programs targeting substance use was conducted. After data extraction, in order to conduct a feasible realist review in a timely manner, the scope had to be refined further and, ultimately, only included literature focusing on eCBT programs targeting substance use. We synthesized the available evidence from the literature into Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations (CMOcs) in order to better understand when and how programs work. RESULTS: A total of 54 papers reporting on 24 programs were reviewed. Our final results identified eight CMOcs from five unique programs that met criteria for relevance and rigor. CONCLUSIONS: Five strategies that may be applied to future eCBT programs for substance use are discussed; these strategies may contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms and, ultimately, may help design more effective solutions in the future. Future research on eCBT programs should try to understand the mechanisms of program strategies and how they lead to outcomes in different contexts.
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Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental/métodos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/terapia, Telemedicina/métodos, Adolescente, Adulto, Idoso, Feminino, Humanos, Masculino, Pessoa de Meia-Idade, Adulto JovemRESUMO
Chronic pain and substance use disorders are serious conditions that are prevalent among homeless populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronic pain and substance use among individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness. We analyzed cross-sectional data from two sites of the At Home/Chez Soi study (Vancouver and Toronto) using bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Substance use and chronic pain parameters were assessed with the Maudsley Addiction Profile and purpose-designed short instruments. The sample comprised 828 participants. Mean age was 42.4 years and 54% reported chronic pain. In bivariate analysis, chronic pain was significantly associated with use of opioids and stimulants, daily substance use, polysubstance use and injecting as route of administration. In multivariate analysis, only daily substance use (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.09) and injecting (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.08-3.05) remained as significant associated factors, whereas neither use of opioids nor use of stimulants specifically were significantly associated with chronic pain. Among participants with chronic pain, daily substance users (50% vs. 22%, p < 0.001) and injectors (66% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) were more likely to use non-prescribed medication for pain. Participants with daily substance use were less likely to receive professional treatment (52% vs. 64%, p = 0.017) and prescribed pain medication (42% vs. 54%, p = 0.023). Our findings suggest an association of chronic pain with patterns related to severity of substance use rather than to specific substance use in homeless persons with mental illness. Interventions aiming at prevention and treatment of chronic pain in this population should consider severity of substance use and associated risk behavior over use of specific substances.
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Dor Crônica, Pessoas Mal Alojadas, Transtornos Mentais, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias, Adulto, Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico, Dor Crônica/tratamento farmacológico, Dor Crônica/epidemiologia, Estudos Transversais, Humanos, Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologia, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess impact of employment on recovery in a sample of adults from Vancouver At Home (VAH) study, who were homeless and were diagnosed with severe mental disorders. METHODS: The VAH included two randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of housing first with support intervention in vulnerable population. Employment was assessed at baseline and during the follow-up using Demographics, Housing, Vocational, and Service Use History (DSHH), and Vocational Timeline Follow-Back (VTLFB) self-report questionnaires, respectively. Recovery was examined using Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) at baseline and at 24-month follow-up visit. Multivariable regression models were built to examine: (1) the effect of current employment at baseline on RAS score at baseline, and RAS score at 24-month follow-up visit; and (2) and to examine the cumulative effect of recent employment over 8 follow-up visits on RAS score at 24-month visit. Cumulative effect of employment over the follow-up visits was weighted by recency using a pre-specified weighting function. RESULTS: Employment at baseline was associated with an increase in recovery score at baseline [8.06 (95% CI 1.21, 14.91); p = 0.02], but not with recovery score at 24-month follow-up visit [3.78 (-4.67, 12.24); p = 0.37]. Weighted cumulative effect of employment over 8 follow-up visits was associated with increase in RAS score at 24-month follow-up visit [8.33 (1.68, 14.99) p = 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Employment is associated with an increase in recovery. Our result suggests a dual effect of employment on recovery, an immediate effect through current employment, and a long-term effect of cumulative employment.
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Pessoas Mal Alojadas, Transtornos Mentais, Adulto, Emprego, Habitação, Humanos, Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Buprenorphine extended-release (BUP-XR) is a monthly injectable form of opioid agonist therapy. Before its administration, a minimum 7-day induction period with a transmucosal buprenorphine-containing product is recommended. METHODS: Case report (n = 1). RESULTS: A 16-year-old female with active, severe opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder, hepatitis C virus, co-occurring mental health disorders, and complex social stressors had five recent overdoses requiring naloxone. She had previously been treated with methadone and several trials of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, but would quickly discontinue the treatment. Using a rapid micro-induction protocol, buprenorphine/naloxone was administered for 3 days. On day 4, 300 mg BUP-XR was administered subcutaneously. Minimal withdrawal symptoms occurred, despite recent fentanyl use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: A rapid sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone micro-induction was successfully used to initiate BUP-XR, thereby eliminating the abstinence period prior to buprenorphine/naloxone administration, shortening the induction period, and minimizing withdrawal. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first reported case of using rapid micro-induction as a bridge to initiate BUP-XR. By reducing the length of induction to 4 days and minimizing withdrawal, this induction method can make BUP-XR more accessible to patients who would otherwise refuse the medication due to concerns of enduring withdrawal. (Am J Addict 2020;29:531-535).
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Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/administração & dosagem, Quimioterapia de Indução/métodos, Antagonistas de Entorpecentes/administração & dosagem, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Administração Sublingual, Adolescente, Buprenorfina/administração & dosagem, Buprenorfina/uso terapêutico, Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/uso terapêutico, Preparações de Ação Retardada/administração & dosagem, Preparações de Ação Retardada/uso terapêutico, Esquema de Medicação, Feminino, Humanos, Antagonistas de Entorpecentes/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The requirement for moderate withdrawal prior to initiation can be a barrier to buprenorphine/naloxone induction. CASE PRESENTATION: We aimed to use a microdosing regimen to initiate regular dosing of buprenorphine/naloxone in a high-risk patient with a history of failed initiations due, in part, to withdrawal symptoms. Using an assertive outreach model and a buprenorphine/naloxone microdosing schedule, we initiated treatment of an individual's opioid use disorder. There was a successful buprenorphine/naloxone microdosing induction as the team reached a therapeutic dose of buprenorphine/naloxone. Including the induction period, the medication was used consistently for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A microdosing schedule can be used to induce a patient onto buprenorphine/naloxone with no apparent withdrawal; gradually reducing illicit substance use. This case report builds on previous literature, highlighting ways to minimize barriers to induction of buprenorphine/naloxone, using a microdosing schedule and assertive outreach. Given the safety profile of buprenorphine and its potential to be a lifesaving intervention, a larger study of microdosing is indicated.
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Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/uso terapêutico, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/métodos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/administração & dosagem, Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga, Humanos, Masculino, Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for chronic pain and may reduce opioid-induced hyperalgesia. However, its pharmacological properties make its induction challenging, time-consuming, and can precipitate opioid withdrawal. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with inadequately controlled postoperative pain despite escalating doses of oxycodone and methadone, who was successfully transitioned to buprenorphine/naloxone using a rapid microinduction technique without precipitating opioid withdrawal. Rapid induction provides an alternative method for transitioning patients from other opioids to buprenorphine/naloxone and facilitates transition of patients with chronic pain to buprenorphine therapy within a shorter window compared to currently existing protocols.
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Analgésicos Opioides/administração & dosagem, Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/administração & dosagem, Dor Crônica/tratamento farmacológico, Idoso, Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico, Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/uso terapêutico, Dor Crônica/etiologia, Cálculos da Dosagem de Medicamento, Humanos, Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pharmacotherapy remains one of the major interventional strategies in medicine. However, patients from all age groups and conditions face challenges when taking medications, such as integrating them into the daily routine, understanding their effects and side effects, and monitoring outcomes. In this context, a reliable medication management tool adaptable to the patient's needs becomes critical. As most people have a mobile phone, mobile apps offer a platform for such a personalized support tool available on the go. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an overview of available mobile apps, focusing on those that help patients understand and take their medications. We reviewed the existing apps and provided suggestions for future development based on the concept understand and manage, instead of the conventional adhere to medication. This concept aims to engage and empower patients to be in charge of their health, as well as see medication as part of a broader clinical approach, working simultaneously with other types of interventions or lifestyle changes, to achieve optimal outcomes. METHODS: We performed a Web search in the iOS Apple App Store and Android Google Play Store, using 4 search terms: medication management, pill reminder, medication health monitor, and medication helper. We extracted information from the app store descriptions for each eligible app and categorized into the following characteristics: features, author affiliation, specialty, user interface, cost, and user rating. In addition, we conducted Google searches to obtain more information about the author affiliation. RESULTS: A total of 328 apps (175 Android and 153 iOS) were categorized. The majority of the apps were developed by the software industry (73%, 11/15), a minority of them were codeveloped by health care professionals (15%, 3/20) or academia (2.1%; 7/328). The most prevalent specialty was diabetes (23 apps). Only 7 apps focused on mental health, but their content was highly comprehensive in terms of features and had the highest prevalence of the education component. The most prevalent features were reminder, symptom tracker, and ability to share data with a family member or doctor. In addition, we highlighted the features considered innovative and listed practical suggestions for future development and innovations. CONCLUSIONS: We identified detailed characteristics of the existing apps, with the aim of informing future app development. Ultimately, the goal was to provide users with effective mobile health solutions, which can be expected to improve their engagement in the treatment process and long-term well-being. This study also highlighted the need for improved standards for reporting on app stores. Furthermore, it underlined the need for a platform to offer health app users an ongoing evaluation of apps by health professionals in addition to other users and to provide them with tools to easily select an appropriate and trustworthy app.
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Sistemas de Medicação/normas, Aplicativos Móveis/tendências, Gerenciamento Clínico, Feminino, Humanos, Masculino, Adesão à Medicação/psicologia, Sistemas de Medicação/estatística & dados numéricos, Pessoa de Meia-Idade, Aplicativos Móveis/estatística & dados numéricos, AutocuidadoRESUMO
Despite high rates of suicide in people who inject drugs, little is known about the risk factors for suicide related to childhood and family history in this population. We aimed to explore the relationship between the history of out-of-home care (OHC) and lifetime suicide attempts among people who inject opioids. Participants (Nâ¯=â¯202) were current injection opioid users with at least one previous episode of opioid maintenance treatment. They were recruited into a double-blind randomized controlled trial for opioid substitution treatment. Secondary analysis of baseline data was conducted from the European Addiction Severity Index and basic demographics questionnaires. A total of 81 (40%) participants reported a history of living in OHC and 27% reported attempting suicide. Participants who reported living in OHC were more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts compared to those who did not live in OHC. History of OHC and suicidal ideation were significant risk factors for suicide attempts adjusting for depression and anxiety. Highest rates of lifetime attempts were among participants who lived in a group home, foster care, and/or psychiatric facility. Living in OHC during childhood was significantly associated with higher rates of suicide attempts in our sample. Greater efforts should be made to provide children from vulnerable families with environments where stable one-to-one relationships can be cultivated.
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Poder Familiar/psicologia, Poder Familiar/tendências, Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/psicologia, Ideação Suicida, Tentativa de Suicídio/psicologia, Tentativa de Suicídio/tendências, Adulto, Método Duplo-Cego, Feminino, Humanos, Masculino, Pessoa de Meia-Idade, Fatores de Risco, Autorrelato, Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This is the first study to compare the safety and efficacy of opium tincture (OT) with methadone for treatment of opioid use disorder. METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, noninferiority controlled trial, a stratified sample of 204 participants with opioid use disorder were recruited from community outreach, drop-in centers, and triangular clinics. Participants were excluded in case of active participation in another treatment program for opioid use disorder, hypersensitivity to trial medications, pregnancy, and certain serious medical conditions. They were randomized to receive either OT or methadone with an allocation ratio of 1:1 using a patient-centered flexible dosing strategy. Eligible participants were followed for a period of 12 weeks. Primary outcome is the difference in percentage of patients retained in the treatment. Secondary outcomes are craving, withdrawal symptoms, physical health, mental health, quality of life, and severity of substance use problems, cognitive function, safety profile, cost-effectiveness, and participants' satisfaction. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be conducted. The Ethics Board of the University of British Columbia and Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved the study. (clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02502175). RESULTS: To be reported after final analysis. CONCLUSIONS: If shown to be effective, OT will diversify the options for medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.
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Metadona/uso terapêutico, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/métodos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Ópio/uso terapêutico, Adulto, Protocolos Clínicos, Método Duplo-Cego, Feminino, Humanos, MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is scarce evidence on prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among individuals who are homeless and diagnosed with severe mental illness. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection and associated risk factors in a representative sample of adults from At Home study. METHODS: The Vancouver At Home study is part of the At Home/Chez Soi (AH/CS) project-a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a Housing First intervention among homeless persons with mental illness in five Canadian cities between 2009 and 2013 with a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Of 497 participants, 28% reported positive HCV serostatus. Educational level equal or less than eighth grade (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.8), history of incarceration (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.5), substance dependence (AOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.7) and injection drug use during one month prior to the recruitment (AOR: 7.8, 95% CI: 4.0, 15.0) were associated with an increased risk of HCV infection. Having a psychotic disorder (AOR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3, 1.0) and age < 25 (AOR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.0, 0.7) were associated with a lower risk. Blood tests performed on 30 participants agreed with self-report in 97% of cases [Kappa = 0.9 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.3), PABAK = 0.9]. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of HCV among individuals who were homeless with mental illness underlies the importance of prevention and treatment of HCV in this population, especially those with concurrent substance use disorders. Self-report seems to be a valid tool for evaluation of the HCV status in this population.
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Hepatite C/epidemiologia, Pessoas Mal Alojadas/estatística & dados numéricos, Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologia, Adulto, Colúmbia Britânica/epidemiologia, Feminino, Humanos, Masculino, Pessoa de Meia-Idade, Prevalência, Fatores de Risco, Fatores Socioeconômicos, Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/epidemiologia, Adulto JovemRESUMO
Background: Due to its unique pharmacologic properties, efficacy as an analgesic, and role as a first-line medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder, sublingual buprenorphine has emerged as a treatment for patients with concurrent chronic pain and opioid use disorders. One challenge to utilizing buprenorphine is that precipitated opioid withdrawal can result if this medication is initiated in the presence of other opiates with lesser binding affinities. Micro-dosing induction regimens utilize a slower titration to avoid the need for a period of abstinence from other opiates and decrease the risk of precipitated withdrawal. Aims: The aim of this article is to present a case where a standardized micro-dosing induction regimen was used to transition a patient from other opiate analgesia to a sublingual formulation of buprenorphine/naloxone. Methods: This case took place on an inpatient neurosurgical unit of a Canadian tertiary-care city hospital. Written informed consent was collected prior to a detailed chart review. Results: Here we present a case of a postoperative neurosurgical inpatient who was referred to our team for pain management in the context of chronic pain and a past history of opioid use disorder. She was successfully transitioned to buprenorphine/naloxone, replacing all other opioid analgesia, without a period of opioid withdrawal using a micro-dosing induction regimen. Conclusions: Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone can be safe and effective for treatment of chronic pain, particularly for those with past or current opioid use disorder. Micro-dosing provides a preferable induction strategy for patients who are not able to tolerate the requirement for moderate opioid withdrawal prior to initiation with existing regimens.
Contexte: En raison de ses propriétés pharmacologiques uniques, de son efficacité en tant qu'analgésique et de son rôle de médication de première ligne pour le traitement du trouble de l'usage d'opioïdes, la buprénorphine sublinguale s'est imposée comme traitement pour les patients qui souffrent simultanément de douleur chronique et d'un trouble de l'usage d'opioïdes. L'un des défis liés à l'utilisation de la buprénorphine est qu'elle peut donner lieu à un sevrage précipité des opioïdes si l'usage de cette médication est initié en présence d'autres opiacés dont les affinités de liaison sont moindres. Les traitements d'induction par microdosage utilisent un titrage plus lent afin d'éviter qu'une période d'abstinences des autres opiacés soit nécessaire et diminuer le risque de sevrage précipité.Objectifs: Présenter un cas où un traitement d'induction par microdosage a été utilisé pour assurer la transition d'une patiente utilisant d'autres d'autres analgésiques opiacés vers une formulation sublinguale de buprénorphine/naloxone.Méthodes: Ce cas s'est déroulé dans l'unité d'hospitalisation en neurochirurgie d'un hôpital de soins tertiaires d'une ville canadienne. Un consentement éclairé signifié par écrit a été recueilli avant l'examen approfondi des dossiers.Résultats: Nous présentons ici le cas d'une patiente hospitalisée en neurochirurgie qui a été référée à notre équipe après son opération, pour la prise en charge de la douleur dans un contexte de douleur chronique et d'antécédents d'usage d'opioïdes. En ayant recours à un traitement d'induction par microdosage, elle a fait la transition vers la buprénorphine/naloxone et a remplacé tous les autres analgésiques opioïdes sans période de sevrage des opioïdes.Conclusions: La buprénorphine/naloxone sublinguale peut être sécuritaire et efficace pour le traitement de la douleur chronique, particulièrement pour les personnes qui ont un trouble de consommation d'opiacés passé ou actuel. Le microdosage constitue une stratégie d'induction préférable pour les patients qui ne peuvent pas tolérer la nécessité d'un sevrage modéré des opioïdes avant de débuter les traitements existants.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although buprenorphine/naloxone is widely recognized as first-line therapy for opioid use disorder, the requirement for moderate withdrawal prior to initiation in efforts to avoid precipitated withdrawal can be a barrier to its initiation. METHODS: We present a case utilizing transdermal fentanyl as a bridging treatment to eliminate withdrawal during the transition from methadone to buprenorphine/naloxone in a patient who had ongoing significant intravenous heroin use while on methadone. RESULTS: Patient was successfully transitioned from methadone to buprenorphine/naloxone without a period of withdrawal utilizing transdermal fentanyl as a bridge in an inpatient setting. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our experience indicates a transdermal depot of fentanyl allows for slow release and elimination while buprenorphine doses are introduced during an induction without presence of withdrawal, as quantified by serial clinical opiate withdrawal score. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This case report highlights ways to minimize barriers to induction of first-line opioid substitution therapy, buprenorphine/naloxone, by eliminating withdrawal during induction phase utilizing a fentanyl bridge within the limitations of a transdermal fentanyl bridge in an inpatient setting. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1-4).
Assuntos
Combinação Buprenorfina e Naloxona/administração & dosagem, Fentanila/administração & dosagem, Metadona/administração & dosagem, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides, Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias, Administração Cutânea, Analgésicos Opioides/administração & dosagem, Preparações de Ação Retardada/administração & dosagem, Humanos, Pacientes Internados, Masculino, Pessoa de Meia-Idade, Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos/métodos, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/tratamento farmacológico, Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides/psicologia, Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/prevenção & controle, Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/psicologia, Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing amount of research on Web-based mental health interventions with proven efficacy, high attrition rates decrease their effectiveness. Continued process evaluations should be performed to maximize the target population's engagement. Google Analytics has been used to evaluate various health-related Web-based programs and may also be useful for Web-based mental health programs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate WalkAlong.ca, a youth-oriented mental health web-portal, using Google Analytics to inform the improvement strategy for the platform and to demonstrate the use of Google Analytics as a tool for process evaluation of Web-based mental health interventions. METHODS: Google Analytics was used to monitor user activity during WalkAlong's first year of operation (Nov 13, 2013-Nov 13, 2014). Selected Google Analytic variables were overall website engagement including pages visited per session, utilization rate of specific features, and user access mode and location. RESULTS: The results included data from 3076 users viewing 29,299 pages. Users spent less average time on Mindsteps (0 minute 35 seconds) and self-exercises (1 minute 08 seconds), which are important self-help tools, compared with that on the Screener tool (3 minutes 4 seconds). Of all visitors, 82.3% (4378/5318) were desktop users, followed by 12.7 % (677/5318) mobile phone and 5.0% (263/5318) tablet users. Both direct traffic (access via URL) and referrals by email had more than 7 pages viewed per session and longer than average time of 6 minutes per session. The majority of users (67%) accessed the platform from Canada. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement and feature utilization rates are higher among people who receive personal invitations to visit the site. Low utilization rates with specific features offer a starting place for further exploration of users in order to identify the root cause. The data provided by Google Analytics, although informative, can be supplemented by other evaluation methods (ie, qualitative methods) in order to better determine the modifications required to improve user engagement. Google Analytics can play a vital role in highlighting the preferences of those using Web-based mental health tools.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Employment is one of the less studied but a significant outcome of medication-assisted treatment. Thus, we aimed to explore employment outcomes of medication-assisted treatment with hydromorphone (HDM) or diacetylmorphine (DAM). The secondary aim was to estimate characteristics of this population as well as treatment-related factors associated with these outcomes. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double blind controlled trial. A total of 102 and 100 participants were randomized to receive injectable DAM or HDM for 6 months respectively. In stage 2, 144 participants were randomized again to receive either oral or injectable forms of the medication they received for another 6 months. Participants were interviewed at 5 timepoints: before and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment assignment. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with a logit link was fitted to determine factors related to paid work in the past 30 days. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 44.3 (SDâ¯=â¯9.6) and 59 (29.2%) participants were men. At each timepoint, 6-8 (3.6%-4.1%) participants reported employment in the past 30â¯days and 40 to 52 (19.7%-26.7%) reported minimum 1â¯day of paid work. University or college education [ORâ¯=â¯2.12: 95% CIâ¯=â¯(1.25, 3.62), Pâ¯=â¯0.01] was significantly associated with paid work after adjustment for age, gender, treatment arms, timepoints, days receiving study treatment, physical health, psychological health and crack cocaine use in the past 30 days. CONCLUSION: The rate of employment was lower among participants of this study compared to similar studies on heroin-assisted treatment. Higher education was associated with increased odds of paid work. A large gap exists between employment rate and the proportion of participants who reported paid work. Supported employment and occupational therapy could optimize the employment outcomes of this population.
